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Residents of Makhaza are jubilant after the City of Cape Town fixed a dysfunctional high mast light a fortnight ago. The municipality also installed light-emitting diodes (LED) in the area ahead of the dark and cold winter season.
Resident Lubabalo Mfilikitshane praised the City for doing a great job. He said people will be able to walk at night, especially those who travel to work early.
“The high-mast light used to work, but suddenly went off,” he said, adding that it was difficult for them to get about at night. “I don’t know what happened to it. I think it hadn’t worked for five months.”
Mfilikitshane said the light will help people who go to work in the morning. He said crime is rife in the area and people are getting robbed in broad daylight.
“Even the mast light’s location, in front of Mapongwana Clinic, is spot-on because it also helps people who are coming to the clinic in the morning.”
Mfilikitshane lambasted criminals who vandalised community facilities, describing them as non-thinkers.
Ward 96 councillor Lucky Mbiza said there are about 18 high mast lights in his ward, but only 12 are working.
“Some of them have been vandalised while others have electrical faults. This high mast light (there one was installed with LED) was not functioning for about three months. “But there are other lights that have not worked for years, which were also vandalised.”
Mayco member for energy Beverley van Reenen said the project formed part of the City’s R3,5 million investment focusing on retrofitting existing high mast lights with energy-efficient LED lighting.
She said the installation of efficient and sustainable LEDs is an example of the City’s commitment to improved public lighting across the city. “The City is installing energy-efficient LED fittings as part of its LED refurbishment public lighting project across the City. The programme, which is being rolled out across the metro, provides improved public lighting and has a range of benefits for the community where it is being installed. We are pleased to be rolling this project out in Makhaza, which will greatly enhance visibility and safety,” she said.
“Khayelitsha has a network of 222 high mast lights and long-term will see the installation of the LED to high-masts over the coming months and years.”
Van Reenen stated that the installation of the LEDs to the high masts, including maintenance of the infrastructure, required careful planning and a 30-ton crane truck for the work to be carried out.
“Our team of engineers and experts are working in areas across the metro,” she stated, “and we continue to invest significantly into our public lighting and in the upgrading and maintenance of our critical infrastructure.”
